Education Resources

Education Activity Suggestions

Students should review the Socks, Buddy, and the History of Presidential Pets exhibit before completing any of the following assignments. Students may work individually or in groups.

Option 1 

Have students view the drawings of Socks and Buddy and read the letters they received then conduct research to learn if the current First Family includes any pets. Depending on the grade level, have students draw a picture of and/or write a letter to a present-day presidential pet.

Extension activity:
The Clintons asked volunteers from the U.S. Soldiers and Airmen’s Home to read and respond to the mail that Socks the Cat received. Have students select a letter and draft a response to it.

Option 2

Have students review the History of Presidential Pets section and select a presidential pet to research. Students can share their findings with the class orally, in writing, through a multimedia presentation (such as Google Slides, PowerPoint, Prezi, or iMovie), website, poster, or exhibit board.

Extension Activities:
Have students consider what pet they would want at the White House if they were President. Students can share their choice with the class orally, in writing, through a multimedia presentation (such as Google Slides, PowerPoint, Prezi, or iMovie), website, poster, or exhibit board. The final product should contain a drawing of the pet, a name, and why the student(s) chose this as their pet.

Option 3

Have students review the Socks the Cat Rocks the Hill then create a storyboard for a game featuring Socks or other presidential pets.  Students can share a sales pitch for the game with the class orally, in writing, through a multimedia presentation (such as Google Slides, PowerPoint, Prezi, or iMovie), website, poster, or exhibit board. The final product should include a theme, title, and rules for the game.

Extension Activity:
Have students build a physical or virtual version of their game using craft supplies or technology tools like Canva and Tinkercad.